Heat Pump: Repair or Replace?

An efficient and powerful heat pump keeps you and your family warm all winter. Heat pumps can even keep your home cool during the summertime. Since no HVAC systems are designed to last forever, a homeowner needs to keep up on maintenance to preserve the life of the device.

Once you’re noticing issues, you may find yourself wondering whether a heat pump repair will suffice—or if a total replacement is warranted. This guide breaks it all down to help you make an informed, budget-conscious choice.

When maintained properly, a heat pump can last 10 to 20 years. As your device starts creeping into the twilight years of its life, you may start noticing:

• Blown motor
• Mechanical issues (like it won’t turn on, heat up, or cool down)
• Broken thermostat
• Broken starter capacity
• Frozen heat pump coils
• Low refrigerant levels (likely due to a leak)
• Circuit breaker problems

Heat Pump Repair vs. Replace

The heat pump repair versus replace debate can be summed up pretty simply.

Replace your heat pump when:

• It’s older than 10 years.
• It’s posing a safety threat to you and your family.
• It’s sending your energy bills through the roof.
• The repair bill is 30%–50% (or higher) of the cost to replace your device.

Repair your heat pump when:

• It’s under 10 years old.
• It’s covered by a warranty or HVAC service contract.
• Repairs are inexpensive.
• It’s just being noisy.

At Barber Heating & Air, we are dedicated to maintaining and installing the perfect heating and/or cooling system for your home. If you’re interested in how we can meet the energy needs for your Burlington, NC home, request a quote or call us at (336) 226-6959.